Efficiency

When it comes to running our company, we’re constantly looking for ways to minimize
our environmental impact. We value being as efficient as possible in everything we
do, from powering our data centers to getting Googlers to and from the office.

Our data centers

Data centers power all of our products and services. For over ten years, we’ve been
building some of the most efficient data centers in the world. In fact, our data
centers use 50% less energy than the typical data center. Here's how we do it.

Our data centers are designed to use as little energy as possible

We drive down the cost and environmental impact of running our data centers by
designing and building our own facilities. We install smart temperature controls,
use “free-cooling” techniques like using outside air or reused water for cooling,
and redesign how power is distributed to reduce unnecessary energy loss. We can
only improve upon what we measure, so we calculate the performance of each
facility using comprehensive efficiency measurements.

We recycle 100% of the electronic equipment that leaves our data centers

Since 2007, we've repurposed enough outdated servers to avoid buying over 300,000
new replacement machines. Before we buy new equipment and materials, we look for
ways to reuse what we already have. When we can’t find a new use for our
equipment, we completely erase any components that store data, and then resell
them into the market—giving our equipment a second life.

Our high standards are certified

We're the first major Internet services company to gain external certification of
our high environmental, workplace safety and energy management standards
throughout our data centers. Specifically, we received voluntary ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 50001 certifications. In a nutshell, these standards are
built around a very simple concept: Say what you’re going to do, then do what you
say—and then keep improving.

We collaborate to move the industry forward

We believe that industry collaboration is important to driving sustainability in
the technology sector. We do this by supporting research and bringing thought
leaders together to share challenges and best practices.

Our campus operations

Whether it’s installing solar panels on our roofs or implementing a bike-to-work
program, we’re committed to reducing the environmental impact of running our offices
worldwide. That means the overall environmental impact from our company and the
products we build is lower.

We promote green commuting

We’ve built a green transportation system that includes biodiesel shuttles and
the largest corporate electric vehicle charging system in the country. Every day,
our shuttles keep thousands of Googlers out of the driver's seat. Our on-campus
car-sharing program includes the next generation of plug-in vehicles. And we
reward our self-powered commuters by donating to their favorite charities based
on how often they bike or walk to work.

We're committed to sustainable food

Google is committed to offering nutritious, flavorful food to employees on all of
our campuses worldwide. We provide healthy choices, local tastes and plenty of
variety in the most responsible way possible. Social and environmental
responsibility are built into every part of our food program: from the
partnerships we develop with farmers and suppliers to our efforts to minimize
waste.

We build greener, healthier workplaces

We work hard to create the healthiest, most productive work environments possible
for Googlers around the world. We create buildings that function like living and
breathing systems by optimizing access to nature, clean air and daylight. Three
of our key initiatives as part of this effort include eliminating dangerous
substances, designing energy-efficient buildings and continually measuring and
improving upon how we operate our buildings.

What others are saying

“Google has been an industry leader in releasing information about the energy
efficiency and power usage of its data centers, as well as strategies to recycle
water to reduce the impact of its facilities on local communities.”